by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6F930)
Half-baked' plan unveiled at Tory conference is a sign of failure to tackle problem of overcrowding, say Labour and reformersThe UK will seek to rent prison space from foreign countries to combat the shortage of domestic jail places, under plans announced at the Conservative party conference.The Tories said that they have already begun exploratory discussions with possible partners in Europe, with plans that would be introduced when parliamentary time permits. Continue reading...
by Yohannes Lowe, Tom Ambrose and Jordyn Beazley on (#6F8JE)
UK and Nato says suppliers must ramp up production; General Oleksander Tarnavskyi says Russian forces sustaining losses in south. This live blog is closedVeterinary and sanitary controls of Ukrainian agricultural cargo bound for the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda will in the next two days be transferred from the Polish-Ukrainian border directly to Klaipeda under a deal reached by Kyiv, Warsaw and Vilnius, the Ukrainian farm ministry said on Tuesday.A ministry statement quoted agriculture minister Mykola Solsky as saying the move was aimed at speeding up transit. Continue reading...
Low-tax scheme launched during financial crisis has stoked housing inflation that has drawn protests across countryTax breaks for foreign residents in Portugal are no longer justified", the prime minister, Antonio Costa, has declared, promising to close the scheme for new applicants in 2024 after it stoked housing prices in one of western Europe's poorest nations.Launched in 2009, the scheme allows people who become residents by spending more than 183 days a year in the country to benefit from a special 20% tax rate on Portuguese-sourced income derived from high value-added activities", such as doctors and university teachers. Continue reading...
Home secretary uses populist speech at Tory conference to attack Human Rights Act and luxury beliefs' of liberal-leaning votersSuella Braverman has warned of a hurricane" of mass migration and attacked the luxury beliefs" of liberal-leaning people in a populist speech aimed at cementing her position as a standard bearer of the Conservative right.In a claim that will anger lawyers, judges and some within her own party, the home secretary told delegates at the Tory party conference that the Human Rights Act should be renamed the Criminal Rights Act". Continue reading...
Head of campaigning group says criticism of Emmanuel Macron's government for Islamophobia is reason for forced return to BritainThe UK director of the campaign group Cage has claimed that he has been deported from Poland at the behest of the French authorities because he criticised Emmanuel Macron's government for Islamophobia.Muhammad Rabbani, who heads a group that campaigns on behalf of those affected by the war on terror", was due to give a speech this week at an international security conference in Warsaw that would have been critical of France's handling of anti-government protests. Continue reading...
Test by Federal Emergency Management Agency scheduled for 2.20pm eastern timeA test for the US emergency alert system will be conducted on Wednesday, but it is already being met with internet conspiracy theories.The nationwide test is scheduled for 2.20pm ET and will play on US cellphones, TV, and radio stations. Continue reading...
Kosovo deputy prime minister says incident on 24 September was open act of aggression' and says it represents risk to entire regionThe French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, who is visiting Armenia today, welcomed the country's ratification of the international criminal court's founding statute.The fight against impunity for crimes is a condition for peace and stability," she wrote on social media. Continue reading...
by Hannah Ellis-Petersen South Asia correspondent on (#6F8WB)
Search also carried out on office of news website under investigation for allegedly receiving funds from ChinaPolice have carried out early morning raids on a news portal office and the homes of almost 50 journalists, activists and comedians across India under anti-terrorism laws, deepening concerns over a crackdown on freedom of expression in the country.Delhi police carried out the searches on numerous locations on Tuesday morning. Several journalists were detained, with their phones and laptops confiscated, and some were taken in for questioning. Delhi police confirmed that two journalists had been arrested in the case. Continue reading...
Incident puts country back on edge a year after mass protests erupted over death in custody of Mahsa AminiThe hospitalisation of a 16-year-old girl in Tehran has led to accusations by a rights group and activists that she was beaten into a coma by Iran's feared morality police", putting the country back on edge a year after mass protests erupted over the treatment of women.Footage of the incident showed a girl being carried off a train by other girls at a metro station and placed on the platform, where she stays still, apparently unconscious. Continue reading...
Acting prime minister has until 27 November to put candidacy before MPs after conservative rival's failure to take officeSpain's acting prime minister, the socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, has been invited to try to form a government two months after July's inconclusive snap general election, and four days after the leader of the conservative People's party (PP) failed in his bid to take office.King Felipe on Tuesday formally nominated Sanchez to attempt to secure congress's backing to form a new coalition administration with the leftwing Sumar alliance. Continue reading...
Jury finds failures in police custody and in prison contributed to death of Jack Zarrop at Wormwood Scrubs in 2021An inquest report has warned that prisoners are at risk of death" due to failures in the healthcare system, after a man took his own life at Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London 48 hours after arriving there.A jury at the inquest into the death at the prison of Jack Zarrop, 23, on 20 March 2021, found that a number of failures contributed to his death, both while he was in police custody and after he was taken to Wormwood Scrubs on remand. Continue reading...
Fast fashion retailer expects annual sales to fall by between 12% and 17% as buyers return to high streetBoohoo has warned that sales will fall by more than expected this year as shoppers buy fewer items than hoped for amid heavy competition from the Chinese rival Shein and the revival of high street shopping.The online fast fashion specialist said it expected annual sales to fall by between 12% and 17%, a dive from the maximum 5% drop previously forecast, as analysts said the group had lost market share despite price cuts. Continue reading...
RMT industrial action on Wednesday and Friday will not take place, but Aslef train strike will go aheadPlanned strikes by London Underground workers on Wednesday and Friday have been called off, the RMT union announced.Its members had been due to strike, closing the tube over plans to reduce staff numbers by up to 600 posts to save costs. Continue reading...
At least three people dead and three wounded in incident at Siam Paragon shopping centreA 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a shooting at a busy luxury mall in the centre of Bangkok, Thai police have said.Emergency services said at least three people were killed and three injured in the incident at the Siam Paragon shopping centre at about 5pm local time. Medics said one of the wounded was a foreign national. Continue reading...
The Broadway hit, written by Tina Fey and now on its second North American tour, will open at the Savoy in JuneFor Mean Girls fans, this is so fetch: the film's musical adaptation, which ran for almost two years on Broadway, is to be staged in London next summer.The musical, now on its second North American tour, will open at the Savoy theatre in June. It has a book by Tina Fey (who co-wrote the screenplay for the 2004 teen comedy), is composed by Jeff Richmond, has lyrics by Nell Benjamin and is directed by Casey Nicholaw (who is also the choreographer). Casting for the musical, in which home-educated Cady Heron struggles to fit in with the intimidating clique of Plastics" at her new high school, is yet to be announced. Continue reading...
Boy pleads guilty at Sheffield crown court to causing death by dangerous driving of Marcia Grant, 60A 13-year-old boy has admitted killing a woman by driving over her in her own car.Marcia Grant, 60, died outside her home in the Greenhill area of Sheffield on 5 April. Continue reading...
Singer says we really can't go any further with this - there's no reason to' when asked about future of bandStevie Nicks has said Fleetwood Mac will not tour again after the death of Christine McVie in November 2022.In an interview with Vulture, she referred to the band's 2018 tour,An Evening With Fleetwood Mac. We had a really great time and it was a huge tour. That was there in the realm of possibility. But when Christine died, I felt like you can't replace her. You just can't. Without her, what is it?", Nicks said. Continue reading...
by Peter Beaumont and Zeinab Mohammed Salih in Omdurm on (#6F8KW)
At least 5.4 million people have been displaced by the fierce fighting that broke out in the country in AprilHumanitarian officials say the widening conflict in Sudan has left them trying to plan for the apocalypse" as aid supply lines are disrupted and more people are displaced both internally and across the country's borders.At least 5.4 million people have already been displaced by the fighting that broke out in April between between the Sudanese armed forces, led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces loyal to his rival Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo - known as Hemedti. Continue reading...
The London museum has been granted special access to the world-famous toy's archives in California and will explore her history through a design lens'If this summer's blockbuster movie has left you longing for more Barbie in your life, help is at hand. An exhibition on the history of the world-famous long-legged doll is to open at the Design Museum in London next year.The museum says it has been granted special access to the Barbie archives in California, and dozens of rare and unique items will be displayed to tell the story of the brand over the course of 65 years. Continue reading...
Demonstrators stage protest outside Indian high commission questioning UK government's response to killingsSupporters of the Sikh separatist Khalistan movement gathered outside the Indian high commission in central London to call for the UK government to stand alongside Canada after the killing of a prominent Sikh leader.Monday's protest on Aldwych came two weeks after Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said his government was looking at credible allegations potentially linking" India with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia. Nijjar, who was 45, was killed on 18 June in a hail of gunfire outside his place of worship. Continue reading...
Justice secretary to tell conference he will introduce Jade's law' this year to protect families from jailed abusersNew powers to stop people who have killed their partners from gaining parental rights to surviving children will be introduced before the end of the year, the UK justice secretary will say.Alex Chalk will introduce Jade's law" this year to protect families from the manipulation of jailed abusers.In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women's Aid. In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: The education minister has pitched a policy that is popular with many parents, but teachers and education experts say it's a distraction from more pressing issues facing pupils Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. Today we're going to take you straight to Newman Catholic College secondary school in Oldham to meet headteacher Glyn Potts, who is reacting to education minister Gillian Keegan's plan to ban pupils from using mobile phones in England's schools. One of the biggest issues facing children and teachers is grappling with the impact of smartphones in our schools," she told Conservative party conference. The distraction, the disruption, the bullying - we know that teachers are struggling with their impact."But are they?Transport | Rishi Sunak is set to confirm he is scrapping the northern leg of HS2 to Manchester at the Conservative conference in the city despite a furious response and Tory fears it will fatally undermine the party's commitment to levelling up. Meanwhile business leaders who warned against Ed Miliband in 2015 have now turned on Rishi Sunak, criticising the prime minister's plans to roll back net zero policies.Education | Schools in England must challenge unconscious bias against the working class, according to the UK's first professor of social mobility. Lee Elliot Major argues the system tries to make working-class children into middle-class clones" when it should celebrate figures such as Stormzy, Tracey Emin, Mary Anning and Michael Faraday.Crime | New powers will stop people who have killed their partners from gaining parental rights to surviving children. Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, will introduce Jade's law" later this year to protect families from the manipulation of jailed abusers.Crime | Russell Brand is facing a second criminal investigation in connection to allegations of harassment and stalking. The 48-year-old comedian and actor has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame working for the BBC and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films. He denies the allegations.Science | Prof Katalin Kariko and Prof Drew Weissman have been awarded the 2023 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for their contributions to RNA biology that contributed to the unprecedented speed of vaccine development during the Covid pandemic. Continue reading...
Royal Statistical Society suggests a better understanding of statistics could help NHS trusts act more quickly in similar casesThe Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is calling for the Lucy Letby inquiry to cover statistical evidence used in the trial of the serial baby killer, saying it can be difficult to draw conclusions from suspicious clusters of deaths" in hospitals.In August, Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more at the Countess of Chester hospital, making her the worst child serial killer in modern British history. Continue reading...
by Denis Campbell Health policy editor on (#6F8HN)
Action expected to add to disruption to health services with consultants and junior doctors also strikingTens of thousands of patients will be unable to have scans on Tuesday when radiographers join consultants and junior doctors in strike action, hospital bosses have said.Radiographers across England will take industrial action from 8am, which will limit the chances of patients using cancer, A&E and maternity services getting a scan or X-ray. Continue reading...
German sandal maker has come a long way from its founding in 1774 as a maker of orthopaedic shoes to going public on the NY stock exchangeBirkenstock, the resurgent German sandal maker once beloved by healthcare workers, is set to be valued at up to 9.2bn ($9.7bn) when it floats on the stock market this month.Around 32.2 million ordinary shares will be put on the New York Stock Exchange in an initial public offering. On Monday, the company priced its shares at $44 to $49 each, which could see the company raise up to $1.58bn. Continue reading...
Thousands affected as government vows to stamp out land grabs in protected areasBrazil's government has begun removing thousands of non-Indigenous people from two native territories in a move that will affect thousands who live in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.The Brazilian intelligence agency ABIN said in a statement that the goal was to return the Apyterewa and Trincheira Bacaja lands in Para state to the original peoples. It did not say whether or not the expulsion of non-Indigenous people had been entirely peaceful. Continue reading...
The 10 listed collections range from zany intimacy' by Sharon Olds to explorations of Black identity from Ishion Hutchinson and Jason Allen-PaisantThe 10 shortlisted poetry collections for the 2023 TS Eliot prize announced today reflect the disruption" of the present moment, said the chair of the judges, with poems drawing on the coronavirus pandemic, loss and war.The winner, to be announced in January, will receive 25,000, while each shortlisted poet will receive 1,500. Continue reading...
Suspended GB News presenter has been accused of using pseudonym to solicit images from former Sun colleaguesThe GB News presenter Dan Wootton is under investigation by police as a result of allegations that were made against him earlier this year.Wootton has previously been accused of using a pseudonym to solicit explicit images from former colleagues at the Sun over many years. The presenter has not directly denied the allegations but says he is the victim of a smear campaign by unknown forces who want to shut down his political views. Continue reading...
Dorothy Hoffner, who first skydived at 100, left her walker on the ground and made the 13,500ft tandem jump in northern IllinoisA 104-year-old Chicago woman is hoping to be certified as the oldest person to ever skydive after leaving her walker on the ground and making a tandem jump in northern Illinois.Age is just a number," Dorothy Hoffner told a cheering crowd moments after touching the ground Sunday at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, about 85 miles (140km) south-west of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported. Continue reading...
Far right of Republican party split as congressman attacks House speaker for working with Democrats to avoid shutdownCongressman Matt Gaetz continued to attack Kevin McCarthy on Monday over the House Republican speaker's successful efforts to avoid a government shutdown, even as other hard-right lawmakers came to McCarthy's defense.Speaking on the House floor on Monday, Gaetz railed against McCarthy, accusing the speaker of cutting a secret side deal" with Joe Biden to provide additional funding to Ukraine. The stopgap spending measure passed by Congress on Saturday, which extended government funding through November 17, did not include additional money for Ukraine, but members of both parties have called for a supplemental bill to address that omission. Biden said on Saturday that he did fully expect the speaker will keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine" and soon pass a supplemental funding bill. Continue reading...
Exclusive: PM claims he has changed phone since running the Treasury and did not back up the messagesRishi Sunak has failed to hand over his WhatsApp messages from his time as chancellor to the Covid inquiry despite the high court ruling that ministers should disclose their communications for scrutiny.In his witness statement to the public inquiry, seen by the Guardian, the prime minister claimed that he did not have access" to the messages during the period running the Treasury because he had changed his phone several times and failed to back them up. Continue reading...
Business secretary privately met media mogul in apparent breach of ministerial code of conductKemi Badenoch failed to declare a meeting that she held with Rupert Murdoch days after she was appointed to the cabinet - in a breach of transparency rules.The business and trade secretary reacted angrily on Monday on social media after it was revealed that she had privately met the media mogul and other executives from his News Corp company in New York in September 2022. Continue reading...
Butler will be the only Black woman, and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent the state, serving in the chamberGavin Newsom, the California governor, has named Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and former labor leader, to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died on Thursday.The appointment fulfills Newsom's pledge to appoint a Black woman to the Senate, while shirking calls to name Barbara Lee, a Black Bay Area congresswoman who is already running for the position in 2024. Continue reading...
by Sally Weale Education correspondent on (#6F858)
Most schools had policies before government's plan, and there are concerns about safety and implications for carers of outright banGlyn Potts, head teacher at Newman Roman Catholic College in Oldham, could not hide his irritation at the morning headlines announcing a government ban on mobile phones in state schools in England.His school, like the vast majority, already has a mobile phone policy. All banned and have been for 10 years," he said, dismissing the announcement by the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, as a smokescreen" to distract from the real challenges facing schools, such as underfunding, teacher recruitment and providing for pupils with special educational needs. Continue reading...
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